Electric valve converting system



NOV. 7, 1939. C w l 2.179366 ELECTRIC VALVE CONVERTING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 28, 1938 colwmlvr cu/mEA/ra c. J'HJ Inventor: Clodius H.WiHis,

ml b 5 Hi Abhorney.

Patented Nov. 7, 1939 SJNE'K'ED STATiZd Clodius H. Willis, Princeton, .35., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 28, 1938, Serial No. 187,410

8 Claims.

My invention relates to electric valve converting systems and more particularly to such systems suitable for transmitting energy from a source of current to a relatively high frequency load circuit.

Heretofore there have been devised numerous electric valve converting systems for transmit-- ting energy from a source of current to rela tively high frequency alternating current load circuit such as for example an induction furnace. When supplying current to such load circuit it is particularly desirable to provide a relatively simple apparatus involving a minimum number of tubes which will supply a frequency sufficiently high to operate the furnace satisfactorily. in such arrangements it is furthermore desirable to limit the current flowing through the valves of the converting apparatus upon the occurrence of any abnormal condition of the valves. It has generally been understood that the time necessary for deionization of the valves limited the frequency of the current supplied to the output circuit. In accordance with invention I ol; tain a much higher output frequency than was hitherto obtainable by arranging the conductivities of the Valves so that a short time interval occurs between the conductivities of successive valves. Furthermore in accordance with my invention the current through the valves is limited during abnormal conditions of the valves by supplying the electric valve converting apparatus from a source of constant current.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an improved electric valve converting apparatus which will. overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the arrangements of the prior art and which will be simple and reliable in operation.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved electric valve converting apparatus which is capable of. satisfactory operation a relatively high frequency and in which upon the occurrence of abnormal conditions of the valves, the current therethrough is limited to a predetermined value.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of my invention which converts direct current into relatively high frequency alternating current; Fig. 2 shows an apparatus for converting alternating current into relatively high frequency alternating current; and Fig. 3

shows another modification for converting constant current direct current into relatively high frequency alternating current.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, I have shown therein an electric valve converting system for transferring energy from a direct current source id, which preferably has a constant current characteristic, to a high frequency alternating current load circuit ii. If. the alternating current circuit H is connected to apparatus such as an electric induction furnace it may be desirable to select the components of the load circuit so that they together with the renected impedance of the output circuit of the electric valve converting apparatus will constitute a circuit having a resonant frequency approximately equal to the desired operating frequency. The electric valve converting system utilizes a pair of electric valves i2 and it which are interconnected by an inductive winding it. While the valves l2 and i3 have been shown as comprising an anode, a cathode and a control grid, it is to be understood that these valves may be any of those commonly utilized in the art which have an anode, and a cathode contained within an envelope containing an ionizable medium, and a control or starting electrode. A pair of capacitors l5 and it are each arranged to be eilectively connected across a portion of the inductive winding i i and one of the valves 52 or 13 through a series capacitor l'l. In order to prevent any undesired interaction between the direct current source and the electric valve converting apparatus a pair of inductors i8 and is may be connected between the apparatus and the source of current. The output circuit ii is arranged to be energized from the inductive winding it either by means of an auto-transformer connection or a secondary winding M.

A shunt circuit comprising a capacitor lit, a resistor 2i, and an inductor 22 connected across the capacitor ll provides a potential having the proper phase relation with respect to the potentials appearing across the valves for the valves l2 and it.

The potential appearing across the resistor 25 is impressed upon the primary winding of a transformer which is provided with a plurality of secondary windings each of which is connected into one of the control circuits for the valves l2 and if. The control circuit for the valve l2 therefore includes a current limiting resistor 24, one of the transformer windings of the transformer 23 and a suitable source of biasing potential 25. Similarly the control circuit for the electrio valve 33 includes the current limiting resistor 26, one of the secondary windings of the transformer 23 and a suitable source of biasing potential 21. At the end of the period of conductivity of. each of the valves the capacitor 20 discharges through its associated circuit com prising the capacitor 20, the resistor 2| and the inductor 22 so that the potential impressed across the transformer primary winding of the transformer 23 is such as to render the next succeeding valve conductive. Oppositely, of course, if it is desired any other suitable source of energization may be supplied to the primary winding of the transformer .23 since it is not necessary that the valve converting system be self-excited as shown. In case an auxiliary control potential is utilized capacitor it may be omitted and a direct connection utilized between the capacitors i5 and I6 and the intermediate tap on the inductor M.

In order to start the apparatus a positive potential may be applied to the control electrode of the valve [2 by any suitable means. It therefore will be assumed that the valve l2 has just been rendered conductive and that current flows from the upper terminal of the constant current direct current circuit I!) through the valve [2 to the upper half of the inductive winding l4 and through the capacitors l6 and IT. This flow of current through the capacitor IE will cause the capacitor to assume a charge which will be sufficient to cause the electric valve l2 to cease conducting current. During the next interval of time which is relatively short with respect to the period of conductivity of the valve i2 neither of the valves is conductive and current now flows from the upper terminal of the source l0 through the inductive winding l8, capacitor [5, capacitor l6 and the inductive winding l9. The charge on the capacitor I1 tends to cause current to flow through the capacitor 20, resistor 2| and inductor 22 so that the potential appearing across resistor 2i and the transformer 23 is noW such as to render the electric valve l3 conductive. The electric valve l3 now being conductive current flows from the upper terminal of the direct current circuit Ill through inductor I8, capacitors l5 and H, the lower half of inductive winding l4 through inductor I9. During the period of the conductivity of the valve l3 the capacitor l6 now discharges through capacitor II, the lower half of the inductive winding 54, and the electric valve l3. At the end of the period of conductivity of the electric valve l3 current continues to flow through the inductive winding l8, the capacitor IS, the capacitor i6 and the inductive winding IS. The charge on the capacitor ll now causes current to flow through the resistor 2i so that the potential appearing across the transformer 23 is surhcient to cause the valve iii to be rendered conductive. At the time the electric valve i2 is conductive the charge appearing across the capacitor l5 flows through the electric valve l2, the upper half of the inductive winding l4 and capactor II. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the frequency of the alternating potential appearing across the output circuit l I is twice the frequency of the alternating current flowing through the capacitor i1. Since the flow of current from the source ill to the electrical converting apparatus is constant at all times, I am enabled by this feature of my invention to prevent damage to the apparatus and serious interruption to the operation of the apparatus upon occurrence of abnormal conditions in the conductivity of either of the valves I2 or [3 since these valves do not carry current great enough to destroy any of the apparatus.

In Fig. 2 there is shown an arrangement in which the same principles of invention have been applied to an electric valve converting system for supplying a relatively high frequency alternating current circuit from a source of alternating cur rent which preferably has a constant current characteristic. Current is transmitted from a source of alternating current 39 to a relatively high frequency alternating curren load circuit 3| by means of two pairs of electric valves 32, 33 and 3t, 35. The valves 32 and 34 are connected in like manner together with the series inductive winding 36 directly across the alternating current circuit 30. The valve 33 is connected in opposite sense across valve 32 and similarly valve 35 is connected in opposite sense across valve 34. Suitable reactors 31 and 38 are connected between the source of alternating current 30 and electric valve converting apparatus in order to prevent undesired interaction between the apparatus and the source of current. A pair of series connected capacitors 39 and 49 are connected across the alternating current supply circuit. A connection from a point intermediate the capacitors 39 and iii includes an inductive winding ii and is connected to an intermediate point on the inductor 38. The output circuit M is arranged to be ener ized from the inductive winding 35 either by an autotransformer connection or by a trans-- former winding 62. A suitable phase shifting circuit 443 is energized from the inductive Winding 2! and this phase shifting circuit supplies potential of proper phase relation to the control circuit of the valves 32 and 33 by means of the transformer 44 which is provided with a primary winding and two secondary windings. Each of the control circuits of the valves 32 and 33 ineludes one of the secondary windings of the transformer it together with a suitable source of biasing potential and a current limiting resistor. The inductive winding ii also energizes another phase shifting circuit 45 which in turn supplies energy to the transformer 46 which comprises a primary winding and two secondary windings. Each of the control circuits of the valves 3 and 35 includes one of the secondary windings of the transformer 46 together with a suitable source of biasing potential and a current limiting resistor. When the upper terminal of the alternating cur-- rent circuit 36 is positive in potential the electric valves 32 and 34 will operate in manner similar to the operation described in connection with valves l2 and 53 in Fig. l. 39 and 49 will become alternately charged and discharged in a similar manner. When the lower terminal of the alternating current circuit Si] is positive the valves and 35 will operate in sequence in the same manner as did valves 2 and The electric valve converting apparatus includes L the output transformer 52 which is provided with a secondary winding 53 connected to the alternating current circuit 5! and a primary winding 54 which is connected at an intermediate point Thus the capacitors interposed in the connections of the winding E .of the transformer to the electric valves.

thereon to one side of the direct current supply circuit. The end terminals of the primary winding 56 of the transformer 52 are interconnected to the other side of the direct current circuit through groups or pairs of electric valves 55 and 56, and 5'! and 53, respectively. While each of the valves 55 to 58 inclusive, is shown as being provided with an anode, a cathode and a control-electrode or grid, they may be of any of the several types well known in the art although it is preferable. to utilise valves having an anode, a cathode and a control or ignition electrode enclosed within an envelop-e containing ionizable medium. interposed in the connection from the inding 54 to the pair of electric valves and 5'5 is a comniutating circuit in luding a transformer winding 553 having an electrical midpoint thereon connected to one terminal of the winding M and the end terminals of the winding 55 are connected to corr=sponding electrodes oi the electric valves 55 and A commutating capacitor G5 is connected across winding and the winding 59 acts effectively as a series autotransformer so that the capacitor til is effectively in series circuit relation with the load current of the apparatus. Similarly, a commutating circuit comprising a winding l and a capacitor and 5t. Another circuit comprising the smoothing reactors 53, 8d and a capacitor tibis preferably interposed between the apparatus and the direct current circuit 5:? in order to minimize any interaction between the apparatus and the constant current direct current circuit The control circuits for th valves 55 and 58 each contain one of the current limiting resistors 65, a suitable source of biasing potential t'l and a portion of the secondary winding of the transformer 68. The electric valves 5'? 58 are controlled by similar con rol circuits including one of the current limiting resistors 5d, a suitable source of biasing potential and a portion of the secondary winding of the transformer ii. The primary windings of the transformers b8 and H are energized from different phases of a source of polyphase alternating potenti 1 of frequency which is a subniultiple of that which it is desired to supply to the load circuit 5 In the arrangement shown the transform rs energized from the two phases of a quarter phase auxiliary motor generator set which is operated to supply a control frequency one-half that at which the circult 5i is to operate.

In operation it will be assumed that the electric valve 55 is initially rendered conductive by means oi the control transformer 68. Under these conditions current will flow from the upper terminal of the direct current circuit 5t through the inductors E3, d l and the left-hand portion of inductive winding 5d, the left-hand portion of the inductive winding 5i: and the electric valve 55 to the other side of the direct current circuit 56 thus generating a half cycle of alternating current in the transformer winding 53 which is connected to the load circuit 5i. Dueto the high exciting impedance of the winding 55% the current flowing in the left-hand portion must be balanced by a substantially opposite current flowing in the righthand portion, the only path for which includes the ccrnrnutating capacitor t ll. Thus the capacitor @553 is efiectively in series circuit relation with the load circuit of the apparatus and it becomes charged to a potential dependent in magnitude upon the load current and the time the capacitor 68 is substantially rete' intervals during which current flows through the electric valve 55. Substantially 9G electrical degrees later with respect to the control potential supplied by the motor generator T2, the electric valve 5'. is rendered conductive and the potential I which has been built up on capacitor so is effective to comlnutate the current from the electric valve 55 to the electric valve bl. During he period of conductivity of the electric valve 5: current flows through the right-hand portion of inductive winding 5 generating a half cycle of alternating current of opposite polarity which is supplied to the load circuit 5 l. At the same time current is flowing through the le'it han-d portion of the inductor ill and the capacitor all. is being charged in manner similar to that described in connection with the charging of capacitor till. Due to the fact that the exciting impedance of the transformer winding 59 is very high and because of the fact that the electric valves and 56 are both now nonconductive, the charge on d during the completing interval in which current is flowing through the electric valve Substantially 9G electrical degrees later with respect to the potential supplied by the control circuit, the electric valve is rendered conductive and the potential across the capacitor 62 is effective to transfer the current from the electric valve 5? to the electric valve 5b. The current flowing through the electric valve is now effective to discharge the capacitor and to recharge it to an equal potential of opposite polarity so that it will be effective to commutate the load current from the electric valve lit to the electric valve 5% which will be the next valve to be rendered conductive. Thus in this current is successively commutated or transferred between the several electric valves, current flowing in only a single electric valve at any given instant and the current being transferred between a valve from each of the pairs 55, 56, and 5?, 5B, and also being successively transferred between the electric valves of each pair. Thus it will be apparent that each electric valve is conductive for one half cycle of alternating current with respect to the load circuit iii and is idle for three half cycles oi alternating current with respect to the load circuit. Since in accordance with my invention the supply circuit is of a constant cur-' rent direct current type, excessive destructive current does not flow through the apparatus Whenever there is any abnormal conductivity of any of the valves.

While I have described what I at present con sider the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art tnat various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. The combination comprising a source of current, a high frequency load circuit, and an electric valve converting system for transmitting energy from said source to said load circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of electric discharge valves interconnected by an inductor and being arranged across said source of current, a plurality or" capacitors each connected across a different portion of said inductor and said valves, means for energizing said load circuit from said inductor, and means for controlling the conductivities of said valves.

2. The combination comprising a source of current, a high frequency load circuit and an electric valve converting system interconnecting said source and said circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of controlled electric discharge valves interconnected by, an inductive Winding, means connecting said valves and inductive winding across said source of current, a plurality of capacitors each connected from an intermediate point on said inductive winding to a diiferent side of said source of current, means for periodically rendering conductive said valves to charge and discharge said capacitors, and means for energizing said load circuit from said inductive winding.

3. The combination comprising a source of constant current, a high frequency load circuit, and an electric valve converting system for transmitting energy from said source to said load circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of electric discharge valves interconnected by an inductor and being arranged across said source of constant current, a plurality of capacitors each connected across a portion of said inductor and said valves, means for energizingsaid load circuit from said inductor, and means for controlling the conductivities of said valves.

4. The combination comprising a source of constant current, a high frequency load circuit and an electric valve converting system interconnecting said source and said circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of controlled electric discharge valves interconnected by an inductive winding, means connecting said valves and inductive winding across said source of constant current, a plurality of capacitors each connected from an intermediate point on said inductive winding to a different side of said source of constant current, means for periodically rendering conductive said valves to charge and discharge said capacitors, and means for energizing said load circuit from said inductive winding.

5. The combination comprising a source of constant current direct current, a pair of electric discharge valves interconnected by an inductor, a capacitor, a circuit including one of said valves and a portion or" said inductor for charging said capacitor, a circuit including the other of said valves and a portion of said inductor for discharging said capacitor, means i'or energizing a load circuit from said inductor, and means for controlling the discharges of said valves.

6. The combination comprising a source of constant current alternating current of relatively low frequency, a high frequency load circuit and an electric valve converting system for transmitting energy from said source to said load circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of electric discharge valves interconnected by an inductor and being arranged across said source of constant current, a plurality of capacitors each connected across a portion of said inductor and said valves so as to be charged and discharged thereby, means for energizing said load circuit from said inductor, and means for controlling the conductivities of said valves.

7. The combination comprising a source of constant current, a high frequency load circuit and an electric valve converting system interconnecting said source and said circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of controlled electric valves interconnected by an inductive winding, a capacitor associated with each of said valves and arranged to be charged in series 'With one of said valves and discharged in series with another of said valves, means for periodically rendering conductive said valves, said means and said capacitors cooperating to cause each valve to be conductive for substantially one cycle of the alternating current potential appearing in said load circuit, only one valve being conductive during any cycle of said alternating current, and means for energizing said high frequency load circuit from said inductive winding.

8. The combination comprising a source of constant current, a high frequency load circuit and an electric valve converting system interconnecting said source and said circuit, said converting system comprising a plurality of controlled electric discharge valves interconnected by an inductive Winding, means connecting said valves and inductive winding across said source of constant current, a plurality of capacitors each arranged to be charged in series with one of said valves and discharged in series with another of said valves, means for periodically rendering conductive said valves to charge and discharge said capacitors, and means for energizing said load circuit from said inductive winding.

CLODIUS H. WILLIS. 

